St Albans Athletics Club had plenty to celebrate as some of their younger members took on the the England Athletics National U20 and U23 championships.

Held at the Melbourne Stadium in Chelmsford, SAC's Dillon Smith, Annabel Hedge and Phoebe Gill had all managed to gain the entry standard to compete.

Smith attacked his heat of the 800m and was rewarded with a massive PB of one minute 53.18 seconds, well within the English Schools standard.

But the star of the show was Gill who qualified for the U20 800m final even though she is still only 16-years-old.

Her impressive run saw her lead from gun to tape, crossing the line and becoming champion in a time of 2:03.78.

There were also special mentions for Luke Carlin, Josh Hirst, Rhys Bethell, Joseph McGrath, Georgia Tongue, Conor Treloar and Lewis Daniel who all set new PBs at the Watford Open over 800m.

The club also hosted another round of the Southern Athletics League - with plenty of stand-out efforts.

This was the second event of the 2023 calendar with two other venues, alongside Westminster Lodge, being used for the Division Two North & East clubs.

Of the performances that brought joy to SAC was another UK age group best in the pole vault for Sue Yeomans.

Rhys Bethell won both the 200m and 400m, earning himself a county selection in the process, while Andrew Shaw and George Withers, as well as Graces Milnes and Beckie Cray, took top step of the podium in the A and B races over 1500m.

Megan Walker meanwhile, who last ran a 1500m race in 2015, stormed to a new PB of 4:48.60.

There was another PB in the 800m, Adam Smith clocking 2:01.30 to join his team-mates knocking on the two-minute barrier, while Freya Weddell won the 5,000m.

Dahlia Corp and Margot Koppe won the A and B high jump and there were plenty that were very busy, Niamh Gallagher and Emeline Brown both returned from university to run the steeplechase as well as the 200m, 400m, 800m, 400m hurdles and the triple jump.

Lauren Eckley secured valuable points in her favourite events of 400m hurdles and steeplechase.

Final team results are not yet known for St Albans, who began the day ninth of 18 after one completed round.

A spokeswoman for St Albans Athletics Club said: "Without our team of helpers, organised by Wendy Powell, it wouldn't have been so effortless.

Every athlete who competes shows an amazing ability to enter the arena and perform to their best.

"This can go well or sometimes not so well but we learn. We learn to jump up and practise again and to enjoy the sport we love.

"Consequently every performance should be celebrated.

"Many congratulations to Phoebe and all of our athletes for giving us all something to celebrate."